Methods and apparatus for marine deployment

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for marine deployment according to various aspects of the present invention may operate in conjunction with a floatable housing adapted to be deployed by a marine vehicle. The floatable housing may be adapted to be launched from a marine vehicle and rise to the surface. Assets, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, may be deployed from the surfaced floatable housing.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 60/973,328 filed Sep. 18, 2007, and incorporates thedisclosure of the application by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Sea-based assets may be launched in various ways, such as torpedo tubesand missile tubes. Some assets, however, such as unmanned aircraft, arenot well-suited to launch via conventional systems. In particular, theuse of unmanned aircraft to perform reconnaissance and engagementmissions, however, is increasing as the technology matures. Rapiddeployment of unmanned aircraft in a variety of situations allows forfaster, and often less observable, intelligence gathering. Unmannedaerial vehicles may also be used by ground forces to gather surveillanceinformation on a target prior to engagement with human or other highvalue assets. Unmanned aircraft and other assets are not limited toground operations, however, and sea-based launch systems areill-equipped to deploy them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Methods and apparatus for marine deployment according to various aspectsof the present invention may operate in conjunction with a floatablehousing adapted to be deployed by a marine vehicle. The floatablehousing may be adapted to be launched from a marine vehicle and rise tothe surface. Assets, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle, may be deployedfrom the surfaced floatable housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconnection with the following illustrative figures. In the followingfigures, like reference numbers refer to similar elements and stepsthroughout the figures.

FIG. 1 representatively illustrates an underwater deployment of anunmanned aircraft system launch platform in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 representatively illustrates a cross-sectional view of afloatable housing;

FIG. 3 representatively illustrates a secondary housing in launchposition;

FIG. 4 representatively illustrates a launch tube and UAV ejectionsystem;

FIG. 5 representatively illustrates a communications link between thefloatable housing and a submersible vehicle; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a launch process.

Elements and steps in the figures are illustrated for simplicity andclarity and have not necessarily been rendered according to anyparticular sequence. For example, steps that may be performedconcurrently or in different order are illustrated in the figures tohelp to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be described in terms of functional elementsand various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized byany number of hardware or software components configured to perform thespecified functions and achieve the various results. For example, thepresent invention may employ various flotation systems, vessels,communication systems, deployable assets, covers, housings, springs,hatches, and the like, which may carry out a variety of functions. Inaddition, the present invention may be practiced in conjunction with anynumber of devices used on or above the surface of a body of water, suchas countermeasures, tracking systems, missiles, or rockets, and thesystem described is merely one exemplary application for the invention.Further, the present invention may employ any number of conventionaltechniques for deploying underwater devices, deploying aircraft,operating control systems, controlling launch systems, and the like.

Various representative implementations of the present invention may beapplied to systems for launching and guiding aircraft. Certainrepresentative implementations may include, for example, systems forlaunching unmanned aircraft from a marine vehicle. Referring now to FIG.1, exemplary methods and apparatus for a marine-deployed launch systemfor unmanned aircraft 106 according to various aspects of the presentinvention may operate in conjunction with a floatable housing 102 and amarine vehicle 104.

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 106 comprises an unmanned craft, suchas a remotely controlled or an autonomously controlled aircraft. The UAV106 may comprise any suitable system for operation as a surface launchedaircraft. The UAV 106 may also be configured in any suitable manner orsize. For example, the UAV 106 may comprise a fixed wing aircraft withelectric propulsion to be ejected from the floatable housing 102.Alternatively, the UAV 106 may have a non-electric propulsion system,such as an internal combustion or rocket motor. The UAV 106 may furthercomprise foldable or extendable control surfaces, for example tofacilitate a smaller storage envelope. Alternatively, the UAV 106 maycomprise an aircraft with rotatable lifting surfaces, such as ahelicopter or an aircraft with a combination of propulsive elements andlifting elements, such as a gyrocopter. In yet another embodiment, theUAV 106 may comprise a micro aerial vehicle with non-traditionalpropulsion systems.

The UAV 106 may also be configured to withstand forces associated withlaunch. For example, in one embodiment, accelerations on the UAV 106during launch may exceed 250 times the force of gravity. In anotherembodiment, the UAV 106 may be configured to be ejected from thefloatable housing 102 with a velocity at or near the stall speed of theUAV 106. For example; in one embodiment, the UAV 106 may be required tosuccessfully transition to flight when ejected at a velocity between oneand one-half to two times the stall speed of the UAV 106.

The UAV 106 may be controlled in any appropriate manner, from a remotelocation or it may be suitably adapted for autonomous operation. In oneembodiment, the UAV 106 may be configured for surveillance purposes andtransmit information such as real-time video, radar trackinginformation, or confirm target locations in populated areas. In anotherembodiment, the UAV 106 may be further configured with a weapon system.For example, the UAV 106 may carry a guided missile or bomb suitablyconfigured to be fired from the UAV 106. In another embodiment, the UAV106 may be the weapon system itself and be suitably adapted to be flowndirectly into the target.

While the present embodiment relates to launching the UAV 106, variousimplementations of the present invention may be adapted to other assetsto be launched from the marine vehicle. For example, the UAV 106 may bereplaced with sensors, weapons, or even personnel. The assets may belaunched into the air, into the water, or may remain aboard thefloatable housing 102.

The marine vehicle 104 releases the floatable housing 102 into thewater. The marine vehicle 104 may comprise any suitable system for usein a body of water, such as a submarine, bathyscaph, ship or boat, orunmanned submersible vehicle. In the present embodiment, the marinevehicle 104 comprises a submarine with a trash disposal unit (TDU),missile launcher, or torpedo tube. The marine vehicle 104 may also beadapted to communicate with and/or control the UAV 106 after the UAV 106has been launched.

The floatable housing 102 comprises a container for moving the assets tobe deployed to or near the water surface for deployment. The floatablehousing 102 may comprise any appropriate container, such as a watertightvessel. In the present exemplary embodiment for launching the UAV 106,the floatable housing 102 provides a floating launch platform for theUAV 106. The floatable housing 102 may at least partially enclose theUAV 106, for example to protect the UAV 106 from water intrusion and/ordamage prior to launch. The floatable housing 102 may comprise anysystem configured to house and launch the UAV 106 from at or near thesurface of a body of water, such as a tube, a canister, or a box. Thefloatable housing 102 may also be configured for placement in the waterby various methods, including being dropped into the water from above orreleased while the marine vehicle 104 is in the water, partiallysubmerged, or completely submerged. In addition, the floatable housing102 may be adapted for transporting other assets.

The floatable housing 102 may comprise any suitable materials for use ina marine environment, such as metal, plastic, or composite materials. Inthe present embodiment, the floatable housing 102 comprises stainlesssteel to resist water intrusion and/or compressive forces associatedwith deployment at various depths below water.

The floatable housing 102 may also be configured to be integrated intoexisting marine vehicle 104 ejection systems. For example, the floatablehousing 102 may comprise a floatable pressure vessel configured to bereleased into the water via a TDU aboard a submarine. In anotherembodiment, the floatable housing 102 may be configured to be ejectedvia a torpedo tube or missile launch tube. In the present embodiment,the floatable housing 102 is roughly the same size as a standardcanister deposited into a TDU aboard a submarine to facilitate launchvia the TDU. The floatable housing 102 may be further configured fortransport and use by a single person and/or for easy storage aboard themarine vehicle 104.

The floatable housing 102 may also house additional components. Forexample, referring to FIG. 2, the floatable housing 102 may comprise asecondary housing 204 disposed at least partially within the floatablehousing 102 and a flotation system 202. The floatable housing 102 mayalso comprise a control system to control the operations of thefloatable housing 102, as well as orientation and stability systemsconfigured for operation in varied environmental conditions, such aswind and/or rough seas.

The control system controls the operation of the floatable housing 102.The control system may comprise any suitable system for deploying theUAV 106 from the floatable housing 102, and may be disposed within thefloatable housing 102 or within the UAV 106. The control system may alsobe as simple as an electronic circuit assembly or as complex as anintegrated computer system with multiple functions. The control systemmay control operations of various other systems, such as flotationsystems 202, orientation systems, stability systems, UAV ejectionsystems, sensors, hatch release systems, and communications systems.

For example, the control system may comprise a system configured tocarry out a specific set of instructions according to a predeterminedtiming sequence, received instructions, and/or selected conditions. Forexample, the control system may calculate various environmentalconditions and respond in a manner that increases the probability of asuccessful launch of the UAV 106. In one embodiment, the control systemmay be adapted to calculate a launch window after determining thedirection of a prevailing wind, a wind speed, and the height andfrequency of surface waves. This information may then be compared to aset of predetermined criteria to determine if the UAV 106 can belaunched at a given point in time. The launch window may be based onreducing the likelihood of launching the UAV 106 into an oncoming wave,into a cross wind, or some other mission dependent variable.

Minimizing the ability to see or detect a launched UAV 106 may increasemission effectiveness. The control system may control the force withwhich the UAV 106 is ejected from the floatable housing 102. Forexample, more launch force may be required for successful transition toflight when the prevailing wind speed is low. However, in windyconditions, less ejection force may be required to successfully launchthe UAV 106. Controlling the ejection force may also reduce the launchsignature or resultant noise of the UAV 106 during launch.

The floatable housing 102 may also comprise sensors, such as depthgauges and/or a surface detection system. The surface detection systemmay comprise any suitable system for identifying when a portion of thefloatable housing 102 nears or breaches the surface of the water. Forexample, referring to FIG. 1, one end of the floatable housing 102 maybe configured to extend Above the surface of the water, allowing the UAV106 to be launched out of the exposed end. In one embodiment, thesurface detection system comprises a salt water completion circuitpositioned at or near the end of the floatable housing 102 that extendsabove the surface of the water. When the end breaches the surface of thewater, the circuit opens, generating a signal that is sent to thecontrol system. The signal may initiate any appropriate response, suchas a launch sequence or other function. For example, once the surfacedetection system has made the determination that the floatable housing102 is floating on the surface of the water, a cover on the floatablehousing 102 may be ejected, rotated, or otherwise removed from thefloatable housing 102 to expose the end of the floatable housing forlaunching the UAV 106. In an alternative embodiment, the surfacedetection system may comprise a depth sensor suitably configured tomonitor the rate of change of depth below the surface. Once the rate ofchange is equal to or approximately equal to zero, the surface detectionmay provide a signal indicating that the floatable housing 102 hasbreached the surface of the water.

The flotation system 202 allows the floatable housing 102 to float onthe surface of a body of water. The flotation system 202. may compriseany suitable system to provide buoyancy and/or control the buoyancy ofthe floatable housing 102, such as a buoyant element, an inflatable bag,or extendable structure with positive buoyancy. For example, referringto FIG. 2, the flotation system 202 of the present embodiment comprisesan inflatable collar positioned near one end of the floatable housing102. The inflatable collar may be inflated by any suitable method, suchas with compressed or pressurized gas contained within the floatablehousing 102. The gas used to inflate the inflatable collar may compriseany suitable gas, such as oxygen, an oxygen/carbon mix, or an inert gassuch as helium or argon.

The flotation system 202 may also be selectively engaged, allowing thebuoyancy of the inflatable housing 102 to be controlled. For example,referring again to FIG. 1, if the inflatable housing 102 were releasedfrom a submerged submarine, the inflatable housing 102 may be configuredfor negative or neutral buoyancy until the submarine is sufficientlyclear of the inflatable housing's 102 path to the surface of the water.Negative buoyancy of the floatable housing 102 may be accomplished bythe mass or material of the floatable housing 102 alone, or thefloatable housing 102 may further comprise ballast, such as a detachableweight, that may initially cause the floatable housing 102 to sink untilthe ballast is released.

In the present embodiment, the flotation system 202 may be controlledwith a valve system connected to a pressurized gas source and controlledby the control system. The valve system may systematically release thepressurized gas into the flotation system 202 to control buoyancy, orthe valve system may be configured to achieve positive buoyancy almostinstantly. For example, following release, the floatable housing 102 maynot be required to surface immediately but instead hold at apredetermined depth until launch of the UAV 106 is required, such as toprovide time for a submarine or other marine vehicle 104 to depart theimmediate area or allow for a delayed launch until a selected time. Forexample, if the amount of time from release of the floatable housing 102into the water to the launch of the UAV 106 takes ten minutes, it may bedesirable to release the floatable housing 102 into the water and allowit to hold at some depth below the surface of the water, allowing for amore rapid launch when needed, such as in response to a remote signal.

The flotation system 202 may further deactivate, such as to allow thefloatable housing 102 to sink back into the water. For example, afterthe launch of the UAV 106 or completion of the UAV 106 mission, thefloatable housing 102 may no longer be needed. Therefore, allowing thefloatable housing 102 to sink into the water may be desirable. Sinkingthe floatable housing 102 after launch of the UAV 106 may also obscurethe position of the marine vehicle 104.

The floatable housing 102 may include any appropriate contents fordeploying the relevant assets or otherwise completing the mission. Forexample, the floatable housing 102 may contain sensors, air or fuelsupplies, launch systems, weapons, or other appropriate cargo. In thepresent embodiment for deploying the UAV 106, referring to FIGS. 2 and4, a UAV launch system comprising a secondary housing 204 may bedisposed substantially within the floatable housing 102. The secondaryhousing 204 may include a launch tube 404 for the UAV 106 and a UAVejection system 404 for launching the UAV 106 down the launch tube 404.The secondary housing 204 may be disposed completely within thefloatable housing 102 and/or integrated into the floatable housing 102.For example, the secondary housing 204 may comprise a portion of the endof the floatable housing 102 that extends above the surface of thewater.

The secondary housing 204 may be adapted to provide a watertight orsemi-watertight seal around the UAV 106. For example, the secondaryhousing 204 may comprise a pressure vessel configured to resist waterintrusion and compressive forces. One end of the secondary housing 204may also be configured to open prior to launch, exposing the UAV 106 tothe ambient air. Alternatively, the secondary housing 204 may compriseessentially a tube with an open end that is exposed when a cover on theend of the floatable housing 102 is removed.

The secondary housing 204 may also be configured to increase theprobability of a successful launch of the UAV 106. Referring to FIG. 3,the secondary housing may be configured to rotate independent of thefloatable housing 102 to control the angle of attack of the UAV 106 whenlaunched. For example, the floatable housing 102 may be configured toextend above the surface of the water in a substantially verticalorientation. Launching the UAV 106 in this direction, however, may notresult in the greatest probability of a successful transition fromlaunch to controllable flight. To increase the probability of successfullaunch, the secondary housing 204 may be configured to rotate from thevertical orientation towards a more horizontal orientation by apredetermined amount. In the present embodiment, the secondary housing204 may rotate a selected amount, such as approximately thirty degrees,from the vertical, resulting in a launch direction of sixty degreesabove the surface of the water. In another embodiment, the secondaryhousing 204 may be configured to rotate anywhere between zero and ninetydegrees. In a third embodiment, the secondary housing 204 may beconfigured to selectively rotate to any suitable position givenenvironmental conditions such as wind, wave height, or surroundingobstructions.

Rotation of the secondary housing 204 may be controlled by any suitablemethod, such as mechanically or pneumatically. In one embodiment, thesecondary housing 204 may be held in place with a locking system, suchthat upon removal of the lock, the secondary housing 204 rotates intoposition under its own weight. In an alternative embodiment, a spring orother biasing mechanism may be used to rotate the secondary housing 204into position. In yet another embodiment, the secondary housing 204 maybe connected to an electric motor that selectively rotates the secondaryhousing 204 a specific amount based on various conditions.

The secondary housing 204 may rotate in response to a signal from thesurface detection system or from the control system. For example, oncethe floatable housing 102 breaches the surface of the water, a lockingsystem holding the secondary housing 204 in place may be released inresponse to a signal from the surface detection system. In anotherembodiment, the control system may retain the secondary housing 204 in asubstantially vertical position until the launch sequence is initiated.

The floatable housing 102 may further comprise additional systemsdirected at controlling orientation and movement of the floatablehousing 102. For example, referring again to FIG. 3, the floatablehousing 102 may comprise a wind detection system 302 and a stabilizationsystem 304. The wind detection system 302 detects and repositions thefloatable housing 102 according to wind speed and/or direction. The winddetection system 302 may comprise any suitable system for detecting thedirection and/or speed of a prevailing wind, such as a wind sock,weathervane, or aerovane. For example, the wind detection system 302 maycomprise a wind sock suitably configured to be extended above the top ofthe floatable housing 102, such as in response to the surface detectionsystem or upon release of a cover from the flotation housing 102 orsecondary housing 204. The wind detection system 302 may comprise anysuitable material capable of responding to a prevailing wind, such asfabric or a piece of the floatable housing 102 itself.

The wind detection system 302 may also be suitably configured toreposition the floatable housing 102 such that the UAV 106 is launchedinto the prevailing wind. For example, a wind sock may be extended awayfrom the floatable housing 102 in such a manner that the forces actingon the wind sock tend to move it backwards, resulting in rotating motionapplied to the floatable housing 102.

The stabilization system 304 may stabilize the floatable housing 102,such as by countering accelerations of the floatable housing 102 causedby passing waves or currents. The stabilization system 304 may compriseany suitable system for increasing the stability of the floatablehousing 102 in various environmental conditions, such as an anchor ordrogue. In the present embodiment, the stabilization system 304comprises an extendable drogue suitably configured to reduceaccelerations on the floatable housing 102 caused by waves. Referring toFIG. 3, the drogue is extended downward from an under surface of thefloatable housing 102. The drogue may be rigidly attached to thefloatable housing 102, tethered to the underside of the floatablehousing 102, or otherwise attached to the floatable housing. Forexample, the drogue may comprise a weight that is extended below thefloatable housing 102 by a distance equal to about one-half of the totallength of the floatable housing 102.

The stabilization system 304 may further be configured to stabilize thefloatable housing 102 if wind results in oscillations or rocking. Forexample, the floatable housing 102 may be subjected to potentiallydestructive motion when subjected to high wind speeds or rough seas. Inthe present embodiment, the stabilization 304 is suitably adapted tostabilize the floatable housing during wind speeds of up to twenty knotsand waves of up to eight feet, or the equivalent of a Sea State of 4 onthe Pierson-Moskowitz Sea Spectrum. In another embodiment, thestabilization system may configured to maintain stabilization in SeaStates greater or less than 4.

The UAV ejection system 402 launches the UAV 106 out of the floatablehousing 102. The UAV ejection system 402 may comprise any suitablesystem for launching a UAV, such as pneumatically, mechanically, orexplosively. For example, in a submarine, a non-pyrotechnic launchsystem may be suitable due to storage and handling conditions. Inanother embodiment, pyrotechnics may be appropriate to achieve asuccessful launch. Referring again to FIG. 4, the UAV ejection system402 may engage the launch tube 404 and utilize a pressurized gas toeject the UAV 106. The pressurized gas may comprise any suitable gas,such as compressed oxygen or nitrogen. Alternatively, the pressurizedgas may comprise an inert gas or a mixture of gases that result in anon-explosive compound.

The UAV ejection system 402 may also be configured to reduce the visibleor audible signature during launch. For example, some missions mayrequire stealth deployment necessitating the need to deploy the UAV 106as quietly as possible. Therefore, the ejection system 402, the launchtube 404, and/or the floatable housing 102 may be configured to muffleany sounds that result during launch of the UAV 106.

A communication system may be suitably adapted to transmit and/orreceive information with the UAV 106. The communication system maycomprise any suitable system for communicating with or controlling theUAV 106. The communication system may be configured as a stand alonesystem or to integrate with an existing system. For example, referringto FIG. 5, the communication system may comprise a radio frequency (RF)communication transponder located on the floatable housing 102 that isconnected to a standard radio frequency interface panel aboard themarine vehicle 104 via a communications tether 502. The communicationstether 502 may also be configured to attach to and/or detach from thefloatable housing 102 and/or the marine vehicle 104. In anotherembodiment, the communication system may comprise a RF datalinktransmitted through an existing UHF mast antenna installed on the marinevehicle 104. In another embodiment, the communication system may be acombination of a communication tether 502 and an existing communicationsystem.

The communication system may be further configured to allow an operatoraboard the marine vehicle 104 to control the launch and/or flight of theUAV 106. Alternatively, the communication system may allow a missioncontrol computer to control the flight of the UAV 106. In anotherembodiment, the communication system may be used solely to receive adata stream from a surveillance system installed on the UAV 106.

In operation, referring now to FIG. 6, the floatable housing 102containing the secondary housing 204 and the UAV 106 may be loaded intothe ejection system of the marine vehicle 104 (602). At the time oflaunch, the floatable housing 102 and/or the secondary housing 204 maycomprise sealed, pressurized, watertight units. The UAV 106 may besealed within secondary housing 204, and the secondary housing 204 maybe disposed within the floatable housing 102.

The floatable housing 102 is released into the water. The floatablehousing 102 may be launched in any appropriate manner, such as via alock, hatch, torpedo tube, missile tube, external rack, or othersuitable mechanism. For example, the floatable housing may be loadedinto a trash disposal unit (TDU) aboard a submarine and then “flushed”out into the water, such as at some depth below the surface level (604).

The floatable housing 102 may float to the surface, maintain depth for aperiod, or initially sink. For example, the floatable housing 102 mayinitially sink to a lower depth, such as while the submarine moves awayfrom the point where the floatable housing 102 was released (606). Thismay help prevent the floatable housing 102 from coming into contact withthe submarine or provide additional time for the submarine to gain somedistance from the floatable housing 102 for security purposes.Alternatively, the floatable housing 102 may hold a substantially thesame depth after launch, or may begin to rise to the surface.

In the present embodiment, the floatable housing 102 sinks, such as to aprescribed depth or for a selected period of time, and then begins toascend. For example, a depth gauge, timer, or remote command mayactivate the flotation system 202 at a selected time or depth. Theflotation system 202 may be configured to provide either neutral orpositive buoyancy to the floatable housing 102. Neutral buoyancy may beuseful to prevent the floatable housing from sinking to too great adepth while the submarine moves away. Positive buoyancy allows thefloatable housing 102 to reduce its depth in the water and eventuallybreach the surface of the water.

In the present embodiment, the floatable housing 102 is initiallynegatively buoyant, and activation of the flotation system 202 causesthe floatable housing to become neutrally buoyant for a selected time,and then positively buoyant, thus ascending to the surface. For example,after the floatable housing 102 is in the water, the control system maybe programmed to allow the floatable housing 102 to sink an additionaltwenty feet before the flotation system 202 is activated to a neutralbuoyancy where the depth below the surface of the water is maintained(608). After five minutes, the flotation system 202 may be activated toachieve positive buoyancy and the floatable housing 102 begins to ascendtowards the surface (610). Alternatively, the system may transitiondirectly from negative to positive buoyancy.

The floatable housing 102 floats to the surface to proceed with surfaceoperations, such as to launch the UAV 106 and/or perform other tasks.For example, the floatable housing 102 may float such that a relativelysmall portion of the floatable housing 102 is exposed above the watersurface while the rest remains submerged. In the present embodiment, thefloatable housing 102 and flotation system 202 may be configured suchthat one end of the floatable housing 102 extends above the surface ofthe water (612).

The floatable housing 102 may also determine whether it has reached thesurface, such as to initiate further tasks. In the present embodiment,the surface detection system, such as salt water completion circuit,generates a signal to the control system to indicate that the surfacehas been reached (614). In response, the control system may initiateadditional processes, such as opening the top hatch to expose the UAVejection system.

The floatable housing 102 may also stabilize the floatable housing 102in the water, such as by activating the stabilization system 304 (616).For example, upon receiving the signal from the surface detectionsystem, the control system may extend the drogue or other stabilizer tominimize travel and rocking motions induced by waves or wind. Thestabilization, however, may be performed at any time, such as uponlaunch, upon ascent, or not at all.

The wind detection system 302 may also detect the wind direction and/orspeed and orient the floatable housing 102 accordingly (616). Forexample, the floatable housing 102 may extend the wind sock or vane. Thedrag of the wind on the wind sock or vane tends to rotate the floatablehousing 102 such that the wind sock or vane is downwind. Thus, the UAV106 may be launched directly into the oncoming wind.

The surface operations may then be completed, such as launching the UAV106. In the present embodiment, after the floatable housing 102 isproperly oriented and stable, the secondary housing 204 may be rotatedrelative to the floatable housing 102 to some degree between purelyvertical and purely horizontal (618). The secondary housing 204 isrotated so that the UAV 106 is launched at an angle of attack thatincreases the likelihood of a successful launch. The angle of rotationmay be controlled by the control system or it may be set at apredetermined value.

The UAV ejection system 402 may then be activated to launch the UAV 106,such as within a selected launch window (620). In the presentembodiment, the compressed gas is suddenly released against the aftportion of the UAV 106 to drive the UAV 106 out of the launch tube 404.Any appropriate mechanism, however, may launch the UAV 106, such asrockets, explosives, or catapults.

In addition, communications may be established between the marinevehicle 104, the UAV 106, the floatable housing 102, and/or othersuitable element such as deployed troops in the field and/or remoteweapon systems. In the present embodiment, the UAV 106 communicates withthe marine vehicle 104, such as to control the UAV 106 and/or send datafrom the UAV to the marine vehicle 104. The UAV may communicate directlywith the marine vehicle, such as via RF communications, or the UAV 106may communicate with the marine vehicle 104 via the floatable housing,such as over a radio frequency transponder on the floatable housingconnected to the marine vehicle 104 via a communications tether 502.

Upon completion of surface activities, the floatable housing 102 mayremain in position, return to the marine vehicle 104 for reuse, or sink.For example, after launch of the UAV 106, the flotation system 202 maybe deactivated, such as by deflating the collar. The floatable housing102 may then sink to the bottom. Alternatively, the floatable housing102 may remain on the surface for a selected period of time, such as tofacilitate communications.

In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described withreference to specific exemplary embodiments. Various modifications andchanges may be made, however, without departing from the scope of thepresent invention as set forth in the claims. The specification andfigures, are illustrative, rather than restrictive, and modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by theclaims and their legal equivalents rather than by merely the examplesdescribed.

For example, the steps recited in any method or process claims may beexecuted in any order and are not limited to the specific orderpresented in the claims. Additionally, the components and/or elementsrecited in any apparatus claims may be assembled or otherwiseoperationally configured in a variety of permutations and areaccordingly not limited to the specific configuration recited in theclaims.

Benefits, other advantages and solutions to problems have been describedabove with regard to particular embodiments; however, any benefit,advantage, solution to problem or any element that may cause anyparticular benefit, advantage or solution to occur or to become morepronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essentialfeatures or components of any or all the claims.

The terms “comprise”, “comprises”, “comprising”, “having”, “including”,“includes” or any variation as used in this description are intended toreference a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method,article, composition or apparatus that comprises a list of elements doesnot include only those elements recited, but may also include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, composition or apparatus. Other combinations and/ormodifications of the above-described structures, arrangements,applications, proportions, elements, materials or components used in thepractice of the present invention, in addition to those not specificallyrecited, may be varied or otherwise particularly adapted to specificenvironments, manufacturing specifications, design parameters or otheroperating requirements without departing from the general principles ofthe same.

1. An underwater method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle, comprising: releasing a floatable canister from a submerged surface of a marine vehicle, wherein a launch tube is further disposed within the floatable canister and is configured to house the unmanned aerial vehicle; allowing the floatable canister to controllably rise to the surface of the water; and launching the unmanned aerial vehicle out of the launch tube with an ejection system configured to engage the launch tube.
 2. A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the floatable canister further comprises a flotation device configured to selectively control the buoyancy of the floatable canister.
 3. A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising rotating the launch tube to a non-vertical position prior to launch.
 4. A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising: detecting the direction of a prevailing wind and orienting the floatable canister such that the unmanned aerial vehicle is launched directly into the prevailing wind; and monitoring an environmental condition; and determining an optimum launch window according to the environmental condition and a set of predetermined launch criteria.
 5. A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising extending a drogue from the floatable canister.
 6. A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising establishing a communicative link between the marine vehicle and the unmanned aerial vehicle.
 7. A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the communicative link comprises: a radio frequency transponder connected to the floatable canister, wherein the transponder is adapted to communicate with the unmanned aerial vehicle; and a communication tether connecting the radio frequency transponder to the marine vehicle.
 8. A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the communicative link comprises an UHF antenna connected to the marine vehicle.
 9. A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising sinking the floatable canister after the unmanned aerial vehicle is launched.
 10. A method of deploying an asset underwater from a marine vehicle, comprising: launching a container containing the asset into the water from the marine vehicle; floating the container to the surface; and deploying the asset from within the container after arriving at the surface.
 11. A method of deploying an asset according to claim 10, wherein launching the container comprises releasing the container via a trash disposal unit of the marine vehicle.
 12. A method of deploying an asset according to claim 10, wherein floating the container to the surface comprises: initially maintaining at least one of a negative bouyancy and a substantially neutral buoyancy for the container; and developing a positive buoyancy for the container.
 13. A method of deploying an asset according to claim 10, wherein deploying the asset comprises launching an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the container.
 14. A method of deploying an asset according to claim 13, wherein launching the UAV comprises orienting the container according to the wind direction.
 15. A method of deploying an asset according to claim 13, wherein launching the UAV comprises: orienting a launch tube into a non-vertical position; and launching the UAV through the launch tube.
 16. A method of deploying an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from an underwater vehicle, comprising: launching a container containing the UAV from the underwater vehicle; activating a flotation system coupled to the container; floating the container to the surface, wherein one end of the container protrudes from the surface of the water; exposing the UAV via the protruding end of the container; and launching the UAV from the container.
 17. A method of deploying a UAV according to claim 16, wherein launching the container comprises releasing the container via a trash disposal unit of the marine vehicle.
 18. A method of deploying a UAV according to claim 16, wherein activating the flotation system comprises: initially maintaining at least one of a negative bouyancy and a substantially neutral buoyancy for the container; and developing a positive buoyancy for the container.
 19. A method of deploying a UAV according to claim 16, wherein launching the UAV comprises orienting the container according to the wind direction.
 20. A method of deploying a UAV according to claim 16, wherein launching the UAV comprises: orienting a launch tube into a non-vertical position; and launching the UAV through the launch tube. 